Trulicity® for Weight Loss

All About Trulicity®

Trulicity is a medication that is used to improve blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients who are 18 years of age and over. It has been shown that it could also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events for those who have type 2 diabetes along with cardiovascular disease or risk. Trulicity is an injectable medication, which is injected once a week under the skin. When taken regularly, it controls blood sugar for the week between each injection.

Only people who have type 2 diabetes are helped by Trulicity, whether for blood sugar control or cardiovascular benefits. Some type 2 diabetes patients even experience weight loss while taking Trulicity, however, it is not a weight loss medication. Here’s what you need to know about taking Trulicity.

Who Should Take Trulicity®?

There are other conditions that may prevent you from taking Trulicity, such as a history of pancreatitis, stomach or intestinal disorders, GERD or slow digestion, diabetic eye problems, and liver or kidney disease. Your doctor will decide whether Trulicity is right for you based on your unique circumstances and health.

It is only intended for patients who are 18 years of age and older. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding will need to talk to their doctor before taking Trulicity.

There are basic guidelines for the use of Trulicity, however, you should always listen to your doctor. They may change your dose or customize your usage for your situation. Trulicity is typically prescribed along with a healthy diet and exercise.

Customarily, Trulicity is given as an under-the-skin injection once a week. It should be taken on the same day each week and at the same time. If you need to change your dosing day, make sure there are at least 3 days between doses.

Inject your dose with or without food. Make sure that you change your dosing site each time and never give yourself a dose in the same place twice in a row.

After taking Trulicity, you may experience low blood sugar, which is also known as hypoglycemia. This will cause you to feel extremely hungry, anxious, dizzy, confused, and shaky.

If you have hypoglycemia, you should act fast by eating or drinking something with high sugar, such as hard candy, regular soda, fruit juice, or something similar.

Some doctors will prescribe a glucagon injection kit for those who suffer from severe cases of hypoglycemia. In case of emergency, your family should know how to give you the glucagon injection.

Another potential issue after taking Trulicity is hyperglycemia, which is high blood sugar. Intense thirst and frequent urination can be a sign of high blood pressure.

The combination of Trulicity with other factors such as illness, exercise, stress, surgery, using alcohol, and skipping meals, can greatly affect your blood sugar levels. It’s important to share your lifestyle factors with your doctor to ensure that you are given the appropriate dose and schedule for Trulicity.

It should be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 14 days before use.

Trulicity comes in injection pens and prefilled syringes. Each one is a solo dose, meant for only one use. After each dose in a puncture-proof container, they must be thrown away and disposed of properly.

Can Trulicity® be Prescribed for Weight Loss?

While Trulicity is not a weight loss medication, many people end up losing weight while taking it. On average, people lose about two to six pounds when they take the medication, as it is commonly prescribed along with diet and exercise. Not only that, but Trulicity actually makes people feel full after they eat, which helps them to not overeat.

Those patients that commonly lose weight while taking Trulicity tend to have a heavier weight when they start taking the medication.

When it comes to weight loss, Trulicity mimics the structure of incretin hormones, which are naturally occurring hormones. These hormones are released from the stomach when food is eaten and then they stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas.

Insulin helps cells absorb glucose for energy, which helps to keep blood sugar levels under control. This is how Trulicity helps treat type 2 diabetes.

Trulicity often leads to weight loss because the incretin hormones work cohesively with the medication to slow gut motility as well as the emptying of the gastrointestinal tract. When this occurs, food remains in the gastrointestinal tract longer which leads to feeling full longer, as well as appetite suppression. This, along with better diet and exercise, tends to cause weight loss.

Trulicity has become popular in the weight-loss world rather recently. Since Ozempic has become on shortage in the United States, many prescribers are prescribing Trulicity as a replacement.

Is Trulicity® a Weight Loss Medication?

There are some diabetes medications that are also prescribed for weight loss but Trulicity is not one of them. It is only prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes. However, most people with type 2 diabetes also suffer from obesity, making weight loss a beneficial side effect.

Taking Trulicity when not a type 2 diabetic can be dangerous. It can cause serious side effects such as hypoglycemia. People have experienced dizziness and shakiness, extremely low blood pressure, and even unconsciousness from taking Trulicity when they don’t have diabetes.

Using Trulicity for weight loss, especially for those who are not diabetic, should be approved by a healthcare professional. However, a type 2 diabetic who is prescribed the medication may safely lose weight while taking it.

How Does Trulicity® Work?

Trulicity is part of a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. As previously stated, it copies the functions of the incretin hormones and works with them to control blood sugar levels and they stimulate the secretion of insulin to high blood glucose

There are two incretin hormones, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). These hormones are minimized or not present in people who have type 2 diabetes.

This is why taking Trulicity is helpful. It shares the same structure as GLP-1 and has been modified to last in the body for a week. Binding to the natural GLP-1 receptors, Trulicity stimulates pancreatic insulin release, which reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver and slows gastric emptying to create a sense of fullness.

Using Trulicity®

Trulicity is a once-weekly diabetes medication that has also been shown to lower cardiovascular risk and can lead to weight loss. It should not be injected more often than every seven days, however during dose changes, at least three days need to be between doses.

The medication can be given at any time of the day without regard to meals. Do not mix Trulicity with other drugs such as insulin. Each pen is labeled and is for single use only.

Trulicity should be stored in the refrigerator, but it can be removed for a short period of time prior to the injection to allow it to come to room temperature to ensure a less painful injection.

Trulicity does not interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. It is also safe to consume caffeine in normal amounts. The use of alcohol while taking Trulicity can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and/or vomiting. Always drink responsibly and talk to your doctor about any concerns that may arise when using alcohol along with Trulicity.

Buy Trulicity

The cost of Trulicity depends on your insurance and where you purchase your medication. If your doctor prescribes you Trulicity, make sure and discover the safest and most affordable way to buy.